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Here Is My Ulcerative Colitis story & How I dealt with it at a Young age, Get a Free TXT message every time a New Vid is Uploaded http://motube.us/MrJasrene1 Follow Jason On Twitter http://twitter.com/jasongoyette Check out My Merchandise http://futuretechideas.spreadshirt.com If u or someone u love have recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, it's important 2 begin learning as much as u can about what ulcerative colitis is. By developing a better understanding of ulcerative colitis, u will be more prepared 2 manage its symptoms & live a full life. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease of the large intestine, also known as the colon, in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed & develops tiny open sores, or ulcers, that produce pus & mucous. The combination of inflammation & ulceration can cause abdominal discomfort & frequent emptying of the colon. Ulcerative colitis is the result of an abnormal response by ur body's immune system. Normally, the cells & proteins that make up the immune system protects u from infection. In people with IBD, however, the immune system mistakes food, bacteria, & other materials in the intestine 4 foreign or invading substances. When this happens, the body sends white blood cells into the lining of the intestines, where they produce chronic inflammation & ulcerations. It's important 2 understand the difference between ulcerative colitis & Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract, but ulcerative colitis affects only the colon. Additionally, while Crohn's disease can affect all layers of the bowel wall, ulcerative colitis only affects the lining of the colon. While both ulcerative colitis & Crohn's disease are types of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), they should not be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a disorder that affects the muscle contractions of the colon. IBS is not characterized by intestinal inflammation. What are the Signs & Symptoms? About half of all patients with ulcerative colitis experience mild symptoms. Be sure 2 consult ur doctor if u experience any of the following symptoms: bowel movements become looser & more urgent persistent diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain & blood in the stool stool is generally bloody crampy abdominal pain People suffering from ulcerative colitis often experience loss of appetite & may lose weight as a result. A feeling of low energy & fatigue is also common. Among younger children, ulcerative colitis may delay growth and development. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis do tend 2 come & go, with fairly long periods in between flare-ups in which patients may experience no distress at all. These periods of remission can span months or even years, although symptoms do eventually return. The unpredictable course of ulcerative colitis may make it difficult for physicians 2 evaluate whether a particular course of treatment has been effective or not. Read more about the Types of Ulcerative Colitis & Associated Symptoms. What are the Causes of Ulcerative Colitis? Who is Affected? Although considerable progress has been made in IBD research, investigators do not yet know what causes this disease. Studies indicate that the inflammation in IBD involves a complex interaction of factors: the genes the person has inherited, the immune system, & something in the environment. Foreign substances (antigens) in the environment may be the direct cause of the inflammation, or they may stimulate the body's defenses 2 produce an inflammation tht continues without control. Researchers believe tht once the IBD patient's immune system is "turned on," it does not know how 2 properly "turn off" at the right time. As a result, inflammation damages the intestine and causes the symptoms of IBD. Tht is why the main goal of medical therapy is 2 help patients regulate their immune system better. Research sponsored by CCFA has led many scientists 2 believe that ulcerative colitis may be the result of ...